International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act

Statement

One of the Department of State's highest priorities is the welfare of children involved in international parental child abduction cases, and one of our most effective tools for resolving these cases is the Hague Abduction Convention.

I want to thank the 73 countries that partner with us under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, and encourage other countries to become party to this important treaty.

In 2014, Congress passed the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act, which gives the Department of State additional tools to advocate for the return of abducted children.

As we begin work on our second annual report under this law, I want to express my appreciation to the many countries that honor their commitments under the Hague Abduction Convention. I also want to encourage all countries to cooperate towards the expeditious resolution of child abduction cases.

There can be no safe haven for abductors.

The Department of State will continue to use all the tools available to us to help those involved in international parental child abduction cases to resolve their disputes and move forward with their lives.

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